30 Million Indian Cattle-Rearing Households Do Not Sell Milk: Study
Table of Contents
Relevance:
GS Paper I – Indian Society, Rural Livelihoods, Agriculture
GS Paper III – Agriculture, Livestock Economy, Climate Change, Sustainable Development
Important Keywords
For Prelims:
- Cattle Rearing, Indigenous Cattle, Non-Market Uses, Draught Power, Dung Economy, Dairy Sector, Feed and Fodder, Climate Stress
For Mains:
- Rural Livelihood Systems, Livestock Economy, Smallholder Agriculture, Climate Resilience, Agricultural Policy, Sustainable Livestock Management
Why in News?
A new study released on 20 January 2026 by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water reveals that nearly 30 million Indian cattle-rearing households do not sell milk, challenging the long-held assumption that bovine rearing in India is primarily a dairy-driven economic activity. Instead, a significant share of households prioritise non-market uses such as dung, draught power and income from selling animals.
Key Findings of the Study
According to the study Cattle and Community in a Changing Climate (2026):
- 38% of cattle rearers (around 30 million households) do not sell milk
- 31% still rear cattle mainly for household milk consumption
- About 5.6 million households rear cattle entirely for non-dairy purposes
- In nine out of 15 states, less than half of rearers cited milk sales as their primary motivation
These findings underline that cattle rearing in India functions as a multi-purpose livelihood system, not merely a dairy enterprise.
Regional Patterns in Cattle Rearing
The trend of non-milk-oriented cattle rearing is particularly pronounced in certain states:
- Jharkhand: 71% of cattle rearers do not prioritise milk sales
- West Bengal & Himachal Pradesh: Over 50% do not sell milk
- Maharashtra & West Bengal: Around 15% rear cattle entirely for non-milk purposes
Even in states with relatively formal dairy sectors, such as Maharashtra and Karnataka, more than 30% of rearers prioritise non-milk benefits, mainly dung and draught power.
Milk vs Non-Market Uses of Cattle
While milk contributes significantly to India’s economy—supporting over 80 million livelihoods and contributing 5% to GDP—the study highlights that many households value cattle for:
- Organic manure (dung)
- Draught power for agriculture
- Risk buffering through sale of animals
- Household nutrition
- Socio-cultural and religious reasons
In states such as Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Assam, more than 15% of rearers cited socio-cultural motivations as their foremost reason for keeping cattle.
Nature of Herd Ownership in India
The study reveals a predominantly smallholder-driven livestock structure:
- 50% of rural cattle rearers own just one or two animals
- Small herds dominate hilly, central and eastern regions
- Larger herds (over five animals) are more common in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Punjab
- 82% of households own only one bovine type, limiting diversification
This highlights the central role of indigenous cattle in integrated farming systems, particularly for non-market uses.
Productivity and Smallholder Constraints
Despite their large numbers, smallholders contribute disproportionately less to output:
- 29% of total milk production
- 22% of total milk sales
Key constraints include:
- Small herd sizes
- Feed and fodder shortages
- Limited access to improved breeds
- Agro-climatic stress
Low diversity in animal type and breed increases vulnerability to climatic and economic shocks.
Feed and Fodder Challenges
Feed and fodder emerged as one of the most pressing challenges:
- Nearly 75% of cattle rearers cited affordability as a major concern
- Declining grazing lands reported in Assam, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha
- Acute shortage of land for fodder cultivation in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar
Despite these challenges, adoption of interventions such as:
- Silage preparation, and
- Ration-balancing programmes
remained extremely low, at around 5% each.
Climate Stress and Livestock Vulnerability
Climate change is already affecting livestock health and productivity:
- 54% of buffalo rearers reported climate impacts
- 50% of crossbred cattle rearers affected
- 41% of indigenous cattle rearers impacted
Common impacts included:
- Increased disease incidence
- Animal mortality
- Behavioural stress such as restlessness
These impacts are particularly concerning as many households plan to expand herds, often by increasing the same bovine type they already own.
Policy Implications
The study argues that India’s livestock policies remain overly milk-centric, overlooking the diverse roles cattle play in rural livelihoods. According to Abhishek Jain, aligning public investment with ground realities requires:
- Moving away from uniform dairy strategies
- Designing differentiated, region-specific livestock policies
- Accounting for climate risks and smallholder constraints
Such an approach would improve policy acceptance, budget effectiveness and preserve India’s diverse cattle-rearing systems.
Conclusion
The finding that 30 million Indian cattle-rearing households do not sell milk fundamentally challenges conventional assumptions about India’s dairy economy. Cattle in rural India function not merely as milk producers, but as multi-functional assets supporting nutrition, farming, culture and climate resilience. Recognising and integrating this diversity into livestock policy is essential for building a sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient rural economy.
UPSC PYQ
Q. Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission: (UPSC 2025)
- It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low-producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
- It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- I only
- II only
- Both I and II
- Neither I nor II
Answer: C
Explanation: Statement 1 – Correct
- In India, more than 80% of indigenous (low-producing) cattle are owned by:
- Small and marginal farmers
- Landless labourers
- These groups depend on cattle for:
- Supplementary income
- Livelihood security
- The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) specifically targets this section by:
- Improving indigenous breeds
- Providing better breeding services
- Hence, it directly contributes to the upliftment of the rural poor.
Statement 2 – Correct
- The mission was launched in 2014.
- Its objectives include:
- Conservation and development of indigenous cattle breeds
- Scientific breeding and genetic improvement
- Increasing productivity while preserving native breeds
- It adopts a holistic approach through:
- Breed improvement programmes
- Artificial insemination at farmers’ doorsteps
- Establishment of Gokul Grams
- Therefore, the statement is factually correct.
CARE MCQ
Q. With reference to greenhouse gas emissions from livestock in India, consider the following statements:
- More than 90% of India’s livestock-related greenhouse gas emissions arise from enteric fermentation.
- Exotic and crossbred cattle emit more methane per animal annually than indigenous cattle.
- Despite being fewer in number than cattle, buffaloes contribute over half of India’s total milk production.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Over 90% of livestock emissions in India come from enteric fermentation, i.e., methane released during digestion in the rumen.
- Statement 2 is correct: Exotic and crossbred cattle emit about 43 kg of methane per animal per year, which is significantly higher than 28 kg for indigenous cattle due to higher feed intake and body size.
- Statement 3 is correct: Although buffaloes are fewer than cattle, they now contribute more than 50% of India’s milk production, reflecting a shift toward buffalo rearing for higher productivity and resilience.
